Photography Course Tutors - Julian Watt

About Julian Watt

"Julian has won gold, silver and bronze at many international shows and was once selected as a finalist in thirty categories at one show! The international shows include Clio, Cannes, D&AD, London internationals, New York Festivals, Communication Arts, Adfest… that's just on the work that I've had the pleasure of producing with him. He's also an awesome smart, super talented image maker who gets it. I miss working with him, it's been too long. Since I moved from Asia to the states, we haven't had the opportunity for obvious reasons, but I look forward to the day where we can collaborate again!" - Craig Smith, Creative, New York.

Julian is an established, conceptual advertising photographer. Clients work with him because he’s versatile, a wizard with light, has never had to do a reshoot and always makes it look easy. He rolls with the punches and doesn’t get flustered. His productions are often large scale, but he also enjoys smaller, more flexible creative briefs.

Julian has a passion for sharing his knowledge and experience with students and has been authoring materials and teaching within the education sector for many years.

You can find Julian Watt’s website here

www.julianwatt.com

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into photography?

In my youth I was a keen scuba diver. My diving partner was an underwater photographer, he sold me his underwater camera and housing. I proceeded to take the world's worst underwater photographs, but I was hooked.

What inspired you to become a photography tutor?

I have long enjoyed mentoring assistants and photographers that worked in my studio. I expanded on that while serving on the board of the ACMP (Australian Commercial and Magazine Photographers). Moving into tutoring was a natural progression, firstly at Tafe and then Billy Blue prior to joining PI.

What are some essential skills or qualities that every photographer should possess?

Patience, creative problem solving and people skills. Clients are people.

What would you consider one of your best pieces of work and why?

I don't have a favorite "child". However, the image that kicked off the most successful period of my career is the image of a model wearing a Mossimo catsuit on a bright orange background. It used an experimental darkroom technique that I developed.

What is your teaching philosophy when it comes to photography?

Learn the skills well enough that you don't need to think about them when shooting, freeing your mind to think creatively.

What are some key skills and knowledge areas you personally focus on in your courses?

Business skills - being broke really limits your ability to shoot personal projects. Lighting - surprisingly few photographers have great lighting skills. Creative thinking - essential to develop a personal style.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Art, Music, Life.

Are there any photographers you find most influential in your work?

There are so many. Albert Watson - lighting. David Bailey - Talent Direction. Gregory Crewdson - Production & Creative Vision. Annie Leibovitz - Production & Talent Direction

What is your favorite part about being a tutor?

Seeing great student images & seeing students achieve their personal and/or business aims.

What advice would you give to new students?

Shoot a lot and shoot personal work, but be methodical; learn from everything you do.

Prior to taking The Professional Photography Course at The Photography Institute, I completed a professional photography course at New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) and have determined that there's no comparison.

Richard L. Higgins

Crawfordville

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